Variation on Banksy is an enigma - The Malvern Observer

Variation on Banksy is an enigma

Malvern Editorial 12th Mar, 2014 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

RUMOURS that legendary street artist Banksy has visited Malvern has gripped the town after this painting appeared earlier this week.

The picture depicts Malvern’s very own Sir Edward Elgar holding a fluorescent green smart phone whilst casually leaning against the phone box near the wall outside Rose Bank Gardens on Wells Road.

There are also three pictures of the famous composer holding different poses above the three benches by the nearby bus stop. Passers-by have been stopping to admire the work and take pictures, speculating it could be an original ‘Banksy’ due to its similarity in satirical style.

Unfortunately, the artist who has become notorious for never revealing his identity, posted a rare twitter status on his account @banksyny to confirm the work was not his own although he did not seem to mind.




He said: “Not by banksy, but I like it.”

Many have welcomed the paintings and called for them to be protected including town mayor Julian Roskams.


He said: “I like them, they are very quirky, very colourful and very Malvern. Hopefully we can preserve them.”

Onlooker Mike Austin also praised the work and said it compared favourably to other graffiti which had plagued the town in recent weeks.

“It is fantastic to see real street art. It is inoffensive and very clever. The response seems generally welcoming and supportive.

“We don’t need the vile graffiti which has gifted Malvern recently, there’s no message to that and it’s not making a statement. It is just mindless vandalism.

“But this is something creative which celebrates part of the town’s history. Someone has gone through a lot of care and trouble to put it there.”

Rumours had also circulated someone who is not Banksy had been arrested, however a spokesman from West Mercia Police could not confirm there had been anyone detained in relation to the work.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Malvern Observer.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Malvern Observer newspaper.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.